As we all know, our country is dealing with an opioid crisis. Prescription medication addiction is expected to affect 11.5 million people in the United States. If this statistic scares you, it should – this is a severe problem. We shouldn’t take it lightly.
This is a scary moment, but there is a way out. Physical therapy is a natural, safe, and efficient technique to relieve pain. Physical therapy, unlike painkillers, aims to provide long-term relief rather than just concealing pain in the short term.
Opioids cause addiction since they do not alleviate pain. Please don’t hesitate to call our office if you want to stop taking opioids with the help of physical therapy treatments. Walker Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Center is here and ready to support you every step of the way.
Why are prescription medications so dangerous?
It may be challenging to comprehend why opioids are so harmful to so many people; nevertheless, you must understand that pain processing extends beyond what you physically feel. Your brain processes a large portion of the pain you experience.
When you stub your toe on a coffee table, for example, pain receptors are transmitted to your brain. As a result of the physical pain, your brain releases chemicals to alleviate it. These substances work as natural opioids by slowing your breathing, suppressing pain signals, and restoring your equilibrium.
However, if you have chronic pain, are recovering from surgery, or have had a significant accident or trauma, your brain will not be able to keep up with the demand for pain relief. As a result, pain relievers are frequently prescribed.
The prescription medication works by simulating, or mimicking, the chemicals that your body naturally makes to ease pain, but it does not aid in the healing process. People often feel as if they need to take bigger doses when their bodies develop accustomed to the drug since their condition will remain the same without an alternative treatment method. This is the most common cause of overdose.
Why is physical therapy safer than opioids?
Physical therapy will not only help you relieve pain, but it will also help you enhance your general function. Physical therapists work hard to identify and treat the source of your condition. Physical therapy, unlike opioids, aids in the body’s healing process, offering long-term treatment rather than short-term relief.
For your issue, your physical therapist will use a variety of treatments, including ice and heat therapy, manual therapy, stretches, and ultrasound. Your therapy plan will also target strength, flexibility, and overall mobility to restore you to your usual physical function.
Over 116 million individuals suffer from chronic pain, which limits their ability to stand, walk, run, work, and move as freely as they would want. Your physical therapist will address all of these functions and work with you to get you back to where you want to be.
Physical therapy’s primary purpose is to improve your overall quality of life, not make you feel worse! If you ever feel uncomfortable or believe your treatment methods should be switched up a bit for your comfort levels, let your therapist know.
Mental and emotional benefits of physical therapy
Our physical therapists are movement specialists who are highly trained and committed to assisting you in restoring your body’s optimal level of function. We help in treating the source of discomfort rather than masking it.
Physical therapy has several physical and mental advantages. According to statistics, chronic pain patients are more likely to develop melancholy, anxiety, and overall feelings of isolation. Physical therapy can assist in alleviating these unpleasant feelings by providing a support system for the patient at every stage of the route. Physical therapy also emphasizes exercise, which generates endorphins and helps to alleviate negative emotions.
Call our office today
Don’t let yourself fall victim to the opioid crisis. Give yourself the safer alternative to pain relief by scheduling a consultation with a physical therapist today. We’ll help create the best treatment plan for your specific needs so that you can live a pain-free life without the need for opioids.
Sources:
- https://www.apta.org/PolicyResources/PositionPapers/OpioidEpidemic/
- https://www.jospt.org/doi/abs/10.2519/jospt.2018.0606?journalCode=jospt
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